Postdoctoral Fellow PhD - Neuroscience & Epigenetics
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Location: Houston, TX
- Job Number: 7330880 (Ref #: 24990-en_US)
- Posting Date: Newly posted
Job Description
Summary
The Postdoctoral Fellow position is immediately available in the Barbieri laboratory to study the molecular mechanisms regulating tumor initiation and differentiation in neuroblastoma, a pediatric cancer arising from sympatho-adrenal neural crest cells. The lab aims at understanding how the epigenetic regulator CHAF1A drives undifferentiated, chemo-refractory, and metabolically distinct tumors, and developing novel approaches to intervention for high-risk neuroblastoma. Specifically, the lab is focused on understanding how the epigenetic changes induced by CHAF1A drive neuroblastoma oncogenesis, with particular emphasis on studies at the intersection of epigenetics, cell differentiation, and cell metabolism (Front Cell Dev Biol 2026; Trends Mol Med 2026, Cancer Discovery 2024; Nature Communications 2022, Nature Communications 2021; Advanced Science 2021). The Postdoctoral Fellow will use a combination of various cell and molecular biology approaches (including CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, ChIP-seq, Co-IP, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, metabolomics, metabolic tracing and differentiation assays), as well as different tumors models (transgenic, xenograft/PDX and syngeneic) and neural crest models to elucidate the epigenetic changes induced by CHAF1A during neuroblastoma initiation and progression.
Job Duties
- Designs and performs experimental studies that directly answer the above research questions, using both in vitro systems and animal models.
- Collects and analyzes data and presenting at national/international meetings.
- Prepares manuscripts for publication.
- Applies for external fellowships.
- Mentors' junior lab members.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
- No experience required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Postdoctoral Fellow less than 4 year from date of Ph.D. conferral date.
- Experience in cancer biology, epigenetics, cell and molecular biology, and mouse models of cancer is desired.
- Experience in cancer cell metabolism is a plus.
- Be highly motivated to pursue an independent career in biomedical research.
- Prior first author publications.
Baylor College of Medicine fosters diversity among its students, trainees, faculty and staff as a prerequisite to accomplishing our institutional mission, and setting standards for excellence in training healthcare providers and biomedical scientists, promoting scientific innovation, and providing patient-centered care. - Diversity, respect, and inclusiveness create an environment that is conducive to academic excellence, and strengthens our institution by increasing talent, encouraging creativity, and ensuring a broader perspective. - Diversity helps position Baylor to reduce disparities in health and healthcare access and to better address the needs of the community we serve. - Baylor is committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding students, trainees, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds by providing a welcoming, supportive learning environment for all members of the Baylor community.
